The TAB Experience
By: Isiah
F or the past few years, I have had a rewarding experience as a TAB (Teen Advisory Board) member. During that time, I have participated in a diverse set of activities. Once a month (excluding the summer), we hold a meeting to determine our next activities before gathering a monthly themed book display for the teen lounge. We also decorate that lounge a and the adjacent study rooms in the library, volunteer for events, and select fresh teen books for the library’s collection.
A few times a year, TAB decides on a theme to decorate the study rooms in the teen lounge or the teen lounge itself. We have made a variety of different decorations in many themes, usually, but not always, seasonal. We have made decorated hearts for Valentine’s day, a large turkey decoration fittingly named the “Graditurkey” for Thanksgiving, and even video game themed decorations at one point.
Another activity that TAB members partake in is volunteer work for library events. These offer an exciting opportunity to experience library events in a whole new way. Often, the volunteer work involves setting up and assisting with crafts and activities. Personally, I have volunteered a few times, the most noteworthy of which was for a Mario Kart event, where I helped solve technical issues and taught the game to younger participants. Other events may involve crafts, learning experiences, and even roleplaying.
One of the most important activities for TAB members is library book selection. TAB, in addition to selecting books for teen book displays, can also find teen books outside of the library to add to the library’s collection for others to read. Each year, we can select books from a library budget that the library currently does not have, and add them to the library’s vast collection.
TAB has been enjoyable for me and the other teens that are or were TAB members. Together, we have each had unique experiences, connecting with each other and other library community members. Whether the decorating, volunteering, book selection, or community connection sounds particularly interesting to you, consider becoming a member of the TAB team at https://www.ecpubliclibrary.info/teens/.
A TAB decoration/craft
by Isiah
Art by Oliver
A book review of James Islington’s The Will of the Many
By: Oliver
James Islington’s The Will of the Many, recently followed by its sequel The Strength of the Few, is one of the best books that I’ve ever read. The protagonist of this story, Vis, is just relatable enough to feel real, but not so much so that he doesn’t fit into the ancient Rome-inspired fantasy setting. The setting itself is vastly different from any other book that I’ve read, taking heavy inspiration from ancient Rome while also feeling like a whole new world, with a fascinating and complex magic system. The side characters range from funny to perplexing, each one of them playing an essential role in the plot. Even though the plot draws from some frequently used elements in fiction, such as a ‘found orphan’ or a ‘magic school’ trope, Islington uses them in unique and interesting ways. From the jail of Letens to the Iudicium at the Catenan Academy, I found myself completely invested in Vis’s story, building with increasingly high stakes and mystery upon mystery—I was unable to put the book down from the moment I picked it up. If you’re looking for a fresh and interesting fantasy read with heaps of mystery and intriguing characters, I can’t recommend The Will of the Many by James Islington enough.
The Teen Advisory Board of the Library is made up of a variety of teens aged 12-18 that meet once a month to discuss all things library. They develop events and curate different displays for the teen lounge. To learn more about TAB information and an application form can be found on the Library website. Visit the Teen Advisory Board application page.
Art by Oliver
